Offaly woman wins huge Leinster Rugby award after calling time on international career

Offaly's own Michelle Claffey was recognised by her fellow Leinster players on Saturday night at the province's Awards Ball at The Clayton Hotel Burlington Road in Dublin. 

Leinster players past and present celebrated the 2021/22 season to date and to say a fond farewell to a number of players who have contributed much to the success of Leinster over the years.

Leinster Rugby’s incoming President Debbie Carty opened proceedings and from there over 500 guests were in the company of Master of Ceremonies Michael Corcoran.

Josh van der Flier and Offaly's Michelle Claffey were the big winners on the night as they won their respective Bank of Ireland Players’ Player of the Year awards, while Dan Sheehan and Ella Roberts won the LAYA Healthcare Young Player of the Year Awards.

Claffey had a rollercoaster week after announcing her retirement from international rugby with Ireland on May 31.

There was also time to look back on the careers and the contributions of those that would not be staying with Leinster Rugby beyond this season.

Birr man Peter Dooley, as well as Seán Cronin, Dan Leavy, Devin Toner Rory O’Loughlin, Conor O’Brien, Jack Dunne, Adam Byrne, Josh Murphy and David Hawkshaw were all celebrated for all they had achieved with Leinster Rugby over the years. Dooley will move to Ulster next season after more than 100 caps with Leinster.

Other notable winners on the night were Terenure College RFC, Newbridge College, Wilson’s Hospital School and Portarlington RFC.

There were also special recognition awards to two loyal servants of Leinster Rugby, UCD RFC’s Ray Ryan who served as Treasurer of the Leinster Rugby Branch for over 15 years, and for Bective Rangers’ Johnny O’Hagan, who served as Kitman for over 30 years with the senior team.

BANK OF IRELAND LEINSTER RUGBY AWARDS 2021/22:

1. Energia Development School of the Year

Presented by: Gary Ryan, Energia  

Winner: Wilson’s Hospital School  

2. BearingPoint Tackle of the Year

Presented by:  Eric Conway, BearingPoint

Winner: Tommy O’Brien  

3. Bank of Ireland School of the Year

Presented by:  Sharon Woods, Bank of Ireland 

Winner: Newbridge College

4. Beauchamps Contribution to Leinster Rugby              

Presented by:  Sian Browne, Beauchamps   

Winners: Johnny O’Hagan & Ray Ryan

5. Nissan Try of the Year

Presented by: Seamus Morgan, Nissan

Winner: Rory O’Loughlin (vs. Munster Rugby)

6. Bank of Ireland Junior Club of the Year

Presented by:  Oliver Wall, Bank of Ireland  

Winner: Portarlington RFC

7. Energia Senior Club of the Year

Presented by:  Gary Ryan, ENERGIA

Winner: Terenure College RFC

8. BDO Supporters Player of the Year

Presented by:  Ciaran Medlar of BDO 

Winner: Ciarán Frawley

9. Guinness Hall of Fame

Presented by:  Gavin Ó Broin, Diageo

Winner: Frank Sowman

10. LAYA Healthcare Women’s Young Player of the Year

Presented by:  D. O. O’Connor of LAYA Healthcare 

Winner: Ella Roberts  

11. LAYA Healthcare Men’s Young Player of the Year

Presented by:  Donal Clancy of LAYA Healthcare 

Winner: Dan Sheehan  

12. Bank of Ireland Women’s Player’s Player of the Year

Presented by:  Laura Lynch, Bank of Ireland

Winner: Michelle Claffey

13. Bank of Ireland Men’s Player’s Player of the Year

Winner: Josh van der Flier